Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson (80) catches a pass for a touchdown as Denver Broncos cornerback Tracy Porter (22) pursues in the first quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012, in Denver.

It’s unclear whether Broncos cornerback Tracy Porter was supposed to get safety help on the two long touchdown passes he gave up to Houston receivers Andre Johnson and Kevin Walter.

“Same formation, same play,” free safety Mike Adams said. “It was just a different guy. We all have to take responsibility. It’s a team game. It wasn’t just him.”

It appeared Porter was benched after allowing the second score to Walter. He was removed in the second quarter and didn’t return. The team didn’t announce an injury during the game. However, Broncos coach John Fox started his postgame news conference by saying Porter had suffered a knee injury.

“It was execution,” strong safety Rahim Moore said. “They made a play. They have one of the best receivers in the history of the game (in Johnson). They had their plays, and we had ours.”

Mays regrets big hit. Broncos linebacker Joe Mays’ helmet hit Matt Schaub in the jaw with such force that the Texans quarterback lost his helmet and had to leave the game to get medical treatment on a bloody ear. Mays drew a flag for a personal foul on the hit, and he expects to receive further punishment from the league.

“I’m just trying to hurry up and get to him before he gets the ball off,” Mays said. “But he got the ball off, and after the release, he kind of ducked his head. As soon as he ducked his head, it was a bang-bang play. I knew as soon as it happened, I’m going to get fined for that.”

Mays told The Denver Post he was fined $21,000 for a nonpenalized hit last week against Atlanta. As a repeat offender, his next fine could be for significantly more money.

“I just lost a little piece of my ear,” said Schaub, who threw for 290 yards and four touchdowns. “I was bleeding and my helmet came off, so I had to come out for a play, but I was fine.”

Hillman debut. The Broncos replaced running back Knowshon Moreno with rookie Ronnie Hillman on their game-day roster Sunday. Hillman had two carries for 7 yards in his debut.

Schaub X-rays shoulder. After the game, Schaub had X-rays on his right throwing shoulder.

And?

“Everything was great,” he said.

Third-and-no. For the second consecutive game, the defense was one third-down stop away from getting Peyton Manning the ball back with enough time to lead the Broncos to a comeback. And for the second consecutive week, they didn’t get it and lost by six points.

Sunday, the Broncos had the Texans in third-and-5 with 2:49 left in the game, but Schaub squeezed a pass past Champ Bailey’s outstretched arm for what became a 12-yard gain for Johnson.
As a result, the Broncos didn’t get the ball back until just 20 seconds remained.

Injuries.
The Broncos’ loss was costly in the training room.

Porter (knee), running back Willis McGahee (ribs), linebacker Nate Irving (concussion) and wide receiver Matt Willis (hamstring) all left the game and did not return.Tight end Jacob Tamme (groin) limped off but did return late. All will be evaluated further Monday, but Porter’s injury appeared to the most serious.

A dejected-looking Porter was taken for X-rays on his left knee after the game.Tackle Orlando Franklin and cornerback Chris Harris also were sporting pronounced limps after the game.

Turnover win. The Broncos’ defense came up with two turnovers against Houston, which came into Sunday near the top of the league in turnover margin at plus-five. Linebacker Wesley Woodyard intercepted a Schaub pass late in the first half, and defensive tackle Justin Bannan recovered a fumble by Ben Tate in the fourth quarter.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Tyreek Hill didn’t know what to do when he started hearing thousands of people in Arrowhead Stadium chanting his name, even as he stood all alone on the frozen turf waiting for the punt.